William Alexander, Lord Stirling

Lord Stirling William Alexander
Born	December 27, 1725 (1725-12-27) New York City, Province of New York
Died	January 15, 1783 (aged 57–58) Albany, New York, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	Continental Army
Years of service	1775–1783
Rank	Major General
Commands held	1st New Jersey Regiment Continental Army (2 months)
Battles/wars	American Revolutionary War:  • Battle of Long Island  • Battle of Trenton  • Battle of Brandywine  • Battle of Germantown  • Battle of Monmouth
Spouse(s)	Sarah Livingston ​ ​ (m. 1747)​
Relations	Philip Livingston (father-in-law) William Livingston (brother-in-law)

William Alexander, also known as Lord Stirling (December 27, 1725^[1] – January 15, 1783), was a Scottish-American major general during the American Revolutionary War. He was considered male heir to the Scottish title of Earl of Stirling through Scottish lineage (being the senior male descendant of the paternal grandfather of the 1st Earl of Stirling, who had died in 1640), and he sought the title sometime after 1756. His claim was initially granted by a Scottish court in 1759; however, the House of Lords ultimately overruled Scottish law and denied the title in 1762. He continued to hold himself out as "Lord Stirling" regardless.^[2]

Lord Stirling commanded a brigade at the Battle of Long Island, his rearguard action resulting in his capture but enabling General George Washington's troops to escape. Stirling later was returned by prisoner exchange and received a promotion; continuing to serve with distinction throughout the war. He also was trusted by Washington and, in 1778, exposed the Conway Cabal.